Does anyone attend the online meetings here or on any other site? If so, do you find them helpful?
I'm still struggling with the going back to the meeting grind like I used to...we were all so young and there were so many of us in our "group" -- kind of like a high school class. The whereabouts of all of us and the success rate makes interesting stories but....
--my real concern is that the people in the meetings (not just the younger people) became involved in all aspects of my life -- not just my sobriety. I understand my sobriety affects all aspects of my life -- but I mean people gave advice on issues they really had no business participating in --that led me to not go to meetings. I finally had to beleive in my own ability to be an adult and raise my family etc and did so. A lot of work went into being "an adult" and creating boundaries that allow me to "take what I like and leave the rest" --- so that is my dilemma.
Aloha KJ...That reveals some good program experience. You learned and did good for yourself. I always like hanging out with people in recovery who have come to the understanding that a majority of the members really do need to take recovery seriously because of where they come from...being screwed up and that just because they are at meetings and "in" program they are not miraculously fixed.
I love the slogan take what you like and leave the rest. That gave me permission pick and choose what to pack for my journey. There are many "Talkers" and "Advise givers" inspite of what the protocols suggest. Hopefully in time and with following the suggestions they become healed. The protocols and suggestions are for me to listen to and practice in spite of what others are and are not doing.
I go to meetings because I get the stronger "clues" about what is working and not working. I get to listen with my "eyes" and with my ears. (By the way I am bionic in both ears...LOL).
I have personal boundaries. I learned about them in program, set them up with] the help of my program and exercise them in and out of program. If a member (mostly unknowingly) breaches a boundary I don't participate. When I don't participate (react or respond) that usually shortens the situation.
Another benefit is having "time in program". Being an old timer and a "double winner" (such a humorous term) tends to raise the boundaries a bit higher and paint them white.
"The meeting grind" as a term would usually key me into looking at my attitude.
